Thursday Morning NHL Papers (Eastern Conference): Claude Julien calls out David Krejci, Ron Wilson wants more from Luke Schenn and Ray Emery admits tonight’s game against Senators is important to him

Jacques Lemaire has his players rolling, as the Devils won again last night. Patrik Elias played last night but he felt sore after the game, so his availability for tonight’s game is up in the air. Could Scott Niedermayer finish this season with the Devils?

•Ilya Kovalchuk will not play tonight versus the Rangers, reports Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

“Kovalchuk (foot) will be with the Thrashers for Thursday night’s game at the Rangers after all, the Associated Press reports.”

Who you gonna believe?

•Penguins fans are wondering why the team’s power play isn’t very good.

Well, given that there’s no Malkin or Gonchar just now it’s not too much of a stretch to say Crosby doesn’t have a lot of help just now; but even before when he did have those two and they weren’t exactly ripping it up, I think what they were lacking imagination and were too predictable. Other teams PK know what’s coming. My “expert” advice? Run a cycle play where the right D passes to Crosby and then moves to the high slot for a give and go with Crosby moving to the point, Guerin moving to Crosby’s spot while the LW crashes the crease and the left D moves in towards the left faceoff dot. Crosby can shoot or drive, give or fake to the right D or the left D, carry to the point and shoot or pass or run a give and go with Guerin. Got that?

As for the Penguins, their injuries are the main reason for the struggles. They’d do best to simplify their attack without all those cogs, but at the end of the day, talent will be the reason they turn it around. So Malkin, Letang, Gonchar, et. al healthy will be the difference.